Marco Pasalic said that Orlando City SC's attackers were breathing confidence and keen to get on the scoresheet as their fine form in front of goal continued. 

Despite losing to FC Cincinnati 2-1 in their last MLS fixture, Oscar Pareja's side have now found the back of the net in each of their last nine league games. 

They have scored 21 goals in that stretch, with Orlando accumulating an expected goals (xG) total of 2.19 compared to Cincinnati's 0.54 last time out. 

Pasalic scored Orlando's only goal in that defeat, taking his tally to nine league goals, the joint-most this season along with Martin Ojeda. 

And ahead of making the trip to the Bank of America Stadium to face Charlotte FC this weekend, Pasalic was pleased with the improvements shown in the final third. 

"I think it's important that we occupy the box with a lot of players, and like I said, the connection is there in the offence," said Pasalic.

"We play really well, and it's only a question of time before we shoot at the goal and the ball goes inside. They did really good, and this is what we deserve – that we get that goal at that moment.

"But in the offence, we did better. We kept the ball, and we created some chances. They blocked a lot of balls, and they jumped on every shot. Like I said, a little bit of luck today, and it would be 3-2 for us. But 2-2 was what we really deserved."

Orlando, who are fifth in the Eastern Conference, will look to bounce back in their next game against Charlotte. 

Charlotte have lost each of their last three matches, leaving them 10th in the East.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Charlotte FC – Wilfried Zaha

Zaha has found his feet in the MLS with Charlotte, registering a goal contribution in four straight regular-season games, equalling the longest streak in the Crown's history. 

It also marks the first time Zaha has gone on such a run since 2019, when he turned out for Crystal Palace in the Premier League. 

Orlando City – Marco Pasalic

Pasalic scored his ninth goal in his 20th regular-season match with Orlando.

He joins Cyle Larin (11), Dom Dwyer (11), Daryl Dike (10) and Kaka (nine) as the fifth Orlando player to score at least nine goals in his first 20 regular-season matches with the club.

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

Orlando have won each of their last two away matches, winning consecutive road league matches for the 12th time in club history. They have won three straight road matches in the regular season just once (July 4-July 18, 2024).

Charlotte have scored in 10 straight regular-season matches. They are the third team this season to record a streak of at least 10 games with a goal, joining Columbus Crew (11) and San Jose Earthquakes (10).

Hosts Charlotte have been formidable at home this season with six wins and just two losses in eight MLS contests.

Orlando, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their last seven matches across all competitions against Charlotte (W3 D4); their only longer unbeaten run against any opponent is eight games against Chicago Fire (August 2021-May 2025) and Toronto FC (August 2019-October 2023).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Charlotte FC – 41.1%

Draw – 26.7%

Orlando City – 32.2%